Bulletin


Announcement: PPRS Refresh

Attention:
All current ACOL PPRS users and potential new PPRS users

Important announcement:
Beginning in September 2004,
ACOL will implement a major upgrade to the
Personal Property Registry System (PPRS)

ACOL refers to this upgrade as "PPRS Refresh". This upgrade will be the most significant set of changes to PPRS functionality since its introduction for the Province of Nova Scotia in November 1997. PPRS Refresh includes changes that will be evident to PPRS users plus changes to underlying computer networks, hardware and software that support PPRS.

This announcement provides an overview of the PPRS Refresh changes and their impacts on PPRS users, including the following information:

The following document provides more detailed descriptions of the upcoming PPRS changes and their expected benefits for PPRS users:

Highlights of PPRS changes

PPRS will continue to provide the same set of personal property registry functions, namely: registration, search and PPRS administration. The following list highlights the changes that will be made to PPRS:

  • The ACOL Desktop Software will be replaced with web pages and online forms accessible through web browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
  • A new password security system will eliminate current restrictions on connecting to PPRS from behind firewalls that perform Network Address Translation.
  • PPRS addresses for debtors, secured parties and PPR client information will be simplified in order to enable registrants to enter civic and/or postal address information up to 3 lines long.
  • Reports such as Search Result Reports and Verification Statements will be available in high-quality portable document format (PDF) instead of in simple ANSI text.
  • Users will be able to access reports immediately after completing a registration or search instead of going through the separate "Retrieve Reports" list in order to view the report.

For more detailed descriptions of PPRS changes see PPRS Refresh Changes and Their Benefits.

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Schedule for changes to be implemented

PPRS Refresh will be released to users between September and December 2004 as follows:
  • New PPRS Search, Retrieve Reports and ACOL Client Services will be available beginning in September 2004.
  • New PPRS Registration and PPRS Administration functions will be available by November 2004.
  • When these new PPRS Registration functions are available, registration and search through existing ACOL Desktop Software will be discontinued.
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Technical requirements for users

PPRS Refresh users will no longer require an ACOL Desktop Software license in order to access PPRS. Users will require the following:
  • An active ACOL account with privileges to access PPRS functions. ACOL Desktop Software users will be able to login with their current User IDs but will have a different password in order to access PPRS Refresh.
  • A supported Internet browser: Internet Explorer (IE) 5.0 or higher OR Netscape Navigator 6.0 or higher.
  • The browser must support 128-bit encryption.
  • The browser must be configured to enable JavaScript.
  • A portable document format (PDF) reader such as Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® 4.0 or higher.

Passwords for PPRS Refresh access will be distributed via a custom report sent to the user's ACOL Desktop Software Retrieve Reports list. This will ensure that the new password is retrieved by the logged in user and will enable ACOL to track receipt of passwords. to top

PPRS Refresh Changes and Their Benefits

"PPRS Refresh" refers to the most significant set of changes to PPRS functionality since introduction for the Province of Nova Scotia in November 1997. The upgrade includes changes that will be evident to PPRS users plus changes to underlying computer networks, hardware and software that support PPRS. PPRS Refresh is scheduled for introduction to users from September through December 2004.

This document lists changes included within PPRS Refresh and describes benefits resulting from these changes. Changes include:



Improved access to PPRS from high-speed Internet connections

PPRS Refresh will make it easier for users to access PPRS from home or business PCs including those with high-speed Internet connections protected by firewalls.

  • PPRS will be accessed through web pages and online forms accessible through web browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
  • Web pages and online forms will be protected by contemporary Internet security services. This is why the user's web browser must support 128-bit encryption.
  • Users will not be required to install and maintain the ACOL Desktop Software in order to access PPRS.
  • Current ACOL Desktop Software problems with Network Address Translation are most often associated with high-speed Internet connections protected by firewalls. These problems will not apply because the browser-based web pages and online forms will not use the ACOL Desktop Software security (Kerberos).
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Easier and more effective entry of address information

PPRS rules for entry of address information are complex and restrict entry of some valid addresses. Most importantly, they restrict entry of both a civic and postal address such as: PO BOX 123; 987 Main Street. Many users have reported the PPRS address rules to be confusing and problematic.

PPRS Refresh replaces all of the address fields other than Place Name, Province/Territory/State, Postal Code and Country with three lines for user entry of address information. This change will make it easier for PPRS users to specify accurate and complete addresses. It will be the registrant's responsibility to specify an accurate address such as one in compliance with Canada Post addressing standards.

The specific changes related to "simplified addressing" are:

  • PPRS currently uses 14 different data fields in order to capture civic and mailing address information, not including the Place Name, Province/Territory/State, Postal Code and Country. Addresses must be specified as "Rural" or "Urban" addresses and strict rules apply to what data fields may be used and how. The following data fields will be replaced:
    • Site and Comp Type Address
    • Postal Delivery Mode
    • Postal Delivery Number
    • Postal Station Name
    • Civic Number
    • Suffix
    • Street Name
    • Street Type
    • Street Direction
    • Unit Type
    • Unit
    • Building Name
    • Complex Name
    • Floor
  • All existing PPRS address information for prior registrations will be retained. The above-listed "complex" address data will be converted into the three new address lines.
  • Simplified address data will be presented differently from current PPRS reports. The address presentation changes more closely comply with Canada Post guidelines for addresses. The address presentation changes are:
    • Street Types (for example, Street, Road, Chemin) will be presented in their abbreviated forms (for example, ST, RD, CH).
    • For bilingual jurisdictions only (NB, NT and NU), Street Types that are designated as French (for example, CH, RUE) will be presented before the Street Name in keeping with French addressing practices.
    • Floor and Unit information will be presented on a separate line preceding the civic (street) address information.
    • For bilingual jurisdictions only (NB, NT and NU), Floor and Unit identifiers will be presented in both English and French. For example: Étage/Floor, App/Apt, Bureau/Suite, Unit/Unité.
    • The Postal Code will be presented after the Province/Territory/State value (instead of after the Country).
    • The Country will be moved to a separate line at the end of the address.

  • The following is an example of how address presentation will change:
    Existing PPRS
    presentation    		        PPRS Refresh
    presentation
    ABC Company
    Floor 5 SUITE 500 123 Main Street N
    Somewhere NS Canada  A9A 9A9     		       ABC Company
    Floor 5 SUITE 500
    123 Main ST N
    Somewhere NS  A9A 9A9
    Canada


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    Easier access to PPRS reports

    PPRS reports provide documentation of registrations and searches. PPRS Refresh will make it easier for users to access reports.

    • Users will be able to access reports immediately after completing a registration or search instead of going through the separate "Retrieve Reports" list in order to view the report. For example, after completing a registration, the confirmation message will include a link directly to the Verification Statement. Likewise, after requesting a Search Result Report, the confirmation message will include a link directly to the report.
    • The PPRS Refresh Retrieve Reports facility will include improvements over the existing facility. Most importantly, Retrieve Reports will enable the user to filter and sort the report list in order to access reports of interest.
    • The new Retrieve Reports facility will also permit the user to download or delete more reports at one time.
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    Improved PPRS report presentation

    PPRS reports will not change in terms of content or essential layout. PPRS Refresh does improve PPRS report presentation in order to make it easier for users to view, print, save and share reports (for example, send a report by fax).

    • PPRS reports will be available in high-quality portable document format (PDF) instead of in simple ANSI text.
    • PPRS reports (in PDF) will feature larger and easier-to-read fonts.
    • Users will be able to print all or part of their PPRS reports directly from their PDF viewer software (such as Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®).
    • PPRS reports will include additional transaction identification that will make it easier for a user to discuss problems with PPRS customer support staff.
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    Other PPRS Refresh changes

    PPRS Refresh also introduces other changes that will be beneficial to users.

    • During a Search, when viewing the list of matching registrations, the searcher will be able to select all matching registrations for inclusion in the Search Result Report.
    • PPRS Refresh will apply more stringent password management rules, such as requiring the user to specify a quality password. This will improve security of PPRS passwords for everyone's benefit.
    • PPRS Refresh is being deployed on new computing hardware and software platforms that will enable continued high-availability and reliability of services.
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